EAA/ANN AirVenture Innovation Preview

Training To Get Underway For Pilots And Maintainers

The first production model F-35 Lightning II to be assigned to
the 33rd Fighter Wing arrived at Eglin AFB in Florida Thursday at
1318 CDT after its more than 90-minute ferry flight from Fort
Worth, Texas. The aircraft, known as AF-9, will be used for
activities in concert with training F-35 pilots and maintainers who
begin coursework at the base's new F-35 Integrated Training Center
this fall.

File Photo

AF-9 is a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version of the
5th generation stealth fighter. Overall, the jet is the third
production-model F-35 delivered to the U.S. Air Force, with the
first two assigned to Edwards AFB, CA. "We're incredibly proud of
our government/industry team whose steadfast dedication to this
program led to the successful delivery of AF-9 today," said Larry
Lawson, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program
general manager. "The exceptional capabilities of this 5th
generation fighter are now in the very capable hands of the men and
women of the 33rd Fighter Wing who are ushering in a new era of
F-35 training. We look forward to delivering our full complement of
F-35s to the Emerald Coast in the months and years ahead."

AF-9 is the first aircraft delivered from Low Rate Initial
Production lot two and the seventh F-35 delivered in program
history to the Air Force. Over the lifetime of the program, a total
of 59 F-35s will compose the fighter fleet at Eglin AFB.

The F-35A CTOL variant – designed to meet U.S. Air Force
requirements – is also the primary export version of the
Lightning II. The air forces of Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey,
Canada, Australia, Denmark, Norway and Israel will employ the
F-35A. To date, the F-35 program has accomplished more than 925
flights since late 2006.

Located at Eglin AFB, the fully-integrated F-35
pilot-and-maintenance training center includes pilot and
maintenance training equipment, support, systems and facilities for
all three aircraft variants. The center will be home to a full
spectrum of the latest courseware, electronic classrooms,
simulators and flight events ensuring superior training for the
next generation of pilots and maintainers.